Yeah should be a great game regardless of result.

Yes I'm expecting a very tight and exciting game, Cairns with there more run, gun and up tempo play v NZ more controlled tough defence style. Hopefully the refs let them play, certainly under the bucket, where body and strength should be rewarded.

Home advantage should get Cairns a few point win.

Generally, results go the opposite of Dunkman (although their contributions are otherwise top notch). Therefore, Breakers for the win.

EssenX

You are quite right, but I'd think I’d still be around 50%, :::)

Very good half by both sides, again both play quality tough D. Refs so far a non factor which is great.
Any ones game.

Not sure if McCall having the ball in his hands helps Cairns. They were humming with Scott directing traffic and need him with the ball initiating the offense as much as possible.

McCall gets a lot favourable calls, breakers by six, should probably be further ahead.

Agree Duncman. One of the better officiated games. McCall getting some lucky calls though. Flops on D and push off on offense. Seems to have had a few go his way, which has kept Cairns in the game.

Ok. I'll say it. Taipans score 9 points in 2nd 1/4. Let’s not talk about Breakers defense. Call it how it is... really rubbish basketball.

Yeah I'm sure Tahjeres a great culture guy and you can’t doubt his effort but wow his IQ on both ends is so bad. Even defensively always gambling and ends up leaving his man wide open.

Also had a classic Adelaide Pinder game today

The Taipans did well at times to make the game look close, but the Breakers were never really stressed. Had the Breakers shot the 3 ball better - certainly had many good looks - this would have been an ugly blowout. Kings and the Breakers are a level above everyone else.

Yep, the bruise brothers, Pardon and Brantley dominating inside, NZ are defensive juggernaut, fantastic. Maor is doing so well, as are his team, WMW, Leafa, Abercrombie , Brown in the main.
Cairns bubble burst a bit today, Kuol who has been great has had to make way for McCall in minutes and it hasn't helped. Pinder stats ok but wasn’t his day. Finals is certainly on the cards though.

"Kings and the Breakers are a level above everyone else."

Kings haven't been a level above Cairns when they've played. Will be interesting to see Monday's game.

Breakers are good. Real good. Kings too. I feel the Sixers will be in the mix by the end.. pushed NZ to the end last round.

This season I don't get nervous when NZ get down by a dozen early.
I've begun to realize/expect that their defense will eventually ramp up to where it needs to be and will eventually wear the opposition down and force them into tough shots. Once they stop dropping the Breakers will get out and run and claw back the deficit.
I love that they can also slow the game down in the half court and run their offence until they find a good look in a grind out game but they can't keep turning the ball over like they did in that first half.

Le'afa, in particular, needs to tighten his passing and handling if they want to seriously contend.

Cairns bubble burst a bit today, Kuol who has been great has had to make way for McCall in minutes and it hasn't helped.

Hogg also had that wide-open three go in and out mid last quarter that would have put Cairns ahead and bring the house down. That was a big moment in the game.

Abercrombie is an underrated factor for the breakers and can take most of the credit for hogg being quiet as he was in his face all game. I didn't think he was worthy of many minutes this season but when you play a role that well then im happy to be proven wrong!

Abercrombie has been a great player at both ends for ever, a true team player.

The beauty of the Breakers is the overall de they are playing. Took Taipans out of their style of game, slowed them down, ran them off the 3 point line, forcing them to put the ball to the floor more tan they looked comfortable with and forced a heap of turnovers.

Yep, head coach and that little assistant coach at breakers doing a great job on tactics and team. The improvement in WMW and Leafa is outstanding.

Is this possibly the making of the best assistant-to-head coach transition story in NBL history?

I don't count Westover, despite winning titles, as he had no clue but was luckily handed the horses who eventually got found out in Japan.

Westover is clearly the most successful transition, four straight grand finals and two championships, after Melbourne hadn't made a grand final for eight seasons leading into his takeover.

I'm struggling to think of another example outside of Westover.

The reason why I'm after an answer excluding him is because McPeake threw so much money around once Lindsay retired to give Al all the toys.

Walsh isn't exactly making Maor sing for his supper.

From memory, Anstey was the one major addition to Melbourne's roster from the year before, and they lost Gaze, Bradtke and Copeland.

I'm going to go with Lemanis, who was a long time assistant under Stacker before a very rocky start as head coach with the Breakers.

or even Fearne, despite not winning a title he made it to two Grand Final without the resources.

Lemanis did it by moving to another club which makes it more impressive though.

Lemanis certainly did it the hard way, turning a basketcase around over time with the help of sensational owners and management.